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When Twilight Turned into Daylight

15 February 2008

A Fascinating Evening Twilight over Alexandria, Egypt
High altitude clouds glimmered in spectacular hues, over Alexandria, during evening twilight, on 27 November 2007. The dazzling clouds lit up the western sky and the surface of the sea.
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, BA Senior Astronomy Specialist

On the evening of 27 November 2007, there were magnificent patterns of high clouds over Alexandria, Egypt; and, the visibility across the western horizon permitted sunset observation. By reflecting the reddened sunlight, the high clouds glimmered in bright fascinating hues, during evening twilight. BA Senior Astronomy Specialist Aymen Ibrahem took numerous images of this celestial spectacle.

High clouds often occur between altitudes of 6,000 m and 12,000 m. They are composed of tiny ice crystals, and tend to be wispy and transparent. Due to their high altitude, they glow during morning or twilight by reflecting sunlight, for relatively long periods. When the horizon is clear, the clouds shine brightly.

“Sunset was awesome. I imaged the sunset mirage and other fascinating optical atmospheric phenomena,” said Ibrahem. “Then, the dazzling clouds lit up the western sky. Twilight was almost as bright as daylight. For about 20 minutes, I observed an incredible variety of flickering colors in the sky. Interestingly, I also imaged a huge flock of migratory birds, flying from southwest, in the sky. The amazing clouds faded gradually. This was the most spectacular twilight I have ever observed.”

Ibrahem took over 340 images, depicting this memorable twilight. Some of his pictures are presented in the picture gallery below.

Picture Gallery

Fig (1)
Sunset
Date Taken: 27 November 2007
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist

Fig (2)
Twilight Begins
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist

Fig (3)
Clouds
The magnificent clouds lit up the western sky and the surface of the sea.
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist

Fig (4)
Golden Twilight
This image is a close-up, showing gold-tinged and silhouetted clouds.
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist

Fig (5)
A Close-up of Glimmering High Clouds
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist

Fig (6)
A Flight during Twilight
The picture shows a huge flock of migratory birds.
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist

Fig (7)
Close-up of Flock
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist

Fig (8)
The image shows a rose-tinged aircraft contrail, and high clouds. Aircraft contrails are human-induced high clouds. They form when water vapor freezes around particles released by aircraft engines.
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist

Fig (9)
Fading Beauties
About 20 minutes after sunset, the high clouds gradually faded.
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist

Fig (10)
Close-up of Fading Clouds
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist

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